U.S. patent number 11,402,877 [Application Number 17/320,320] was granted by the patent office on 2022-08-02 for protective case for folding electronic device.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Otter Products, LLC. The grantee listed for this patent is Otter Products, LLC. Invention is credited to Lee B. Gates, Bryan W. Goings, Minna L. Ranjeva, Jason Sagen.
United States Patent |
11,402,877 |
Sagen , et al. |
August 2, 2022 |
Protective case for folding electronic device
Abstract
A protective case for a foldable electronic device. The
protective case includes a first member, a second member, and a
hinge member. The first and second members each have a ball
extending from an edge. The hinge member has a first socket and a
second socket in which the first ball and the second ball,
respectively, are captured and rotate thereby permitting the first
member to articulate relative to the second member such that the
foldable electronic device electronic remains articulable between
the closed positions and the opened position when the protective
case is installed on the foldable electronic device. The hinge
member is configured to pivot inward when the protective case is
transitioned from the opened position to the closed position to
prevent the foldable electronic device from sliding out of the
protective case.
Inventors: |
Sagen; Jason (Fort Collins,
CO), Goings; Bryan W. (Fort Collins, CO), Ranjeva; Minna
L. (San Diego, CA), Gates; Lee B. (Fort Collins,
CO) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Otter Products, LLC |
Fort Collins |
CO |
US |
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Assignee: |
Otter Products, LLC (Fort
Collins, CO)
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Family
ID: |
1000006472160 |
Appl.
No.: |
17/320,320 |
Filed: |
May 14, 2021 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20210365077 A1 |
Nov 25, 2021 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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63026832 |
May 19, 2020 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F
1/1681 (20130101); G06F 1/1618 (20130101); G06F
1/1641 (20130101); G06F 1/1656 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G06F
1/16 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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2521152 |
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Jun 2015 |
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GB |
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1994000037 |
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Jan 1994 |
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WO |
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1999041958 |
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Aug 1999 |
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WO |
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2011067921 |
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Jun 2011 |
|
WO |
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Primary Examiner: Chowdhury; Rockshana D
Parent Case Text
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 63/026,832, filed May 19, 2020, which is hereby
incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A protective case for a foldable electronic device having a
first portion that is hingeably attached to a second portion, the
foldable electronic device configured to articulate between a
closed position and an opened position, the protective case
comprising: a first member configured for slidably receiving the
first portion of the foldable electronic device, the first member
having a first ball extending from the first member on a first
shaft; a second member configured for slidably receiving the second
portion of the foldable electronic device, the second member having
a second ball extending from the second member on a second shaft;
and a hinge member having a first socket with a first slot for
receiving the first ball of the first member and a second socket
with a second slot for receiving the second ball of the second
member, wherein the hinge member movably captures the first and
second balls, wherein the first and second shafts rotate within the
first and second slots, respectively, in a first plane when the
first member articulates relative to the second member and the
foldable electronic device electronic articulates between the
closed position and the opened position when the protective case is
installed on the foldable electronic device, and wherein the hinge
member is configured to pivot inward in a second plane that is
different than the first plane when the protective case is
transitioned from the opened position to the closed position to
prevent the foldable electronic device from sliding out of the
protective case.
2. The protective case of claim 1 wherein the first slot and the
second slot are on opposing sides of the hinge member.
3. The protective case of claim 1 wherein each of the slots
includes a recess configured to receive the respective shaft when
the protective case is in the closed position such that the hinge
member pivots inward in the second plane.
4. The protective case of claim 3 wherein the hinge member includes
a top portion and a bottom portion, wherein the top portion has a
width that is greater than a width of the bottom portion.
5. The protective case of claim 4 wherein at least one of the first
member and the second member contact the top portion of the hinge
member when the protective case is transitioned to the closed
position causing the hinge member to pivot inward due to the width
of the top portion being greater than the width of the bottom
portion and due to the shafts being received in the slot
recesses.
6. The protective case of claim 1 wherein the first portion and the
second portion of the foldable electronic device slide into the
first member and the second member of the protective case,
respectively, when the foldable electronic device is substantially
in the closed position to install the foldable electronic device in
the protective case.
7. The protective case of claim 1 further comprising a second hinge
member, wherein the first member includes a third ball and a third
shaft and the second member includes a fourth ball and a fourth
shaft.
8. The protective case of claim 7 wherein the third ball, the third
shaft, the fourth ball, and the fourth shaft interface with the
second hinge member.
9. The protective case of claim 1 further comprising a first
substantially transparent membrane which interfaces with the first
member and is configured to extend over a display area of the first
portion of the foldable electronic device.
10. The protective case of claim 9 further comprising a second
substantially transparent membrane which interfaces with the second
member and is configured to extend over a display area of the
second portion of the foldable electronic device.
11. A protective case for a foldable electronic device having a
first portion that is hingeably attached to a second portion, the
foldable electronic device configured to articulate between a first
closed position, an opened position, and a second closed position,
the protective case comprising: a first member configured for
slidably receiving the first portion of the foldable electronic
device when in the first closed position or the second closed
position; a second member configured for slidably receiving the
second portion of the foldable electronic device when in the first
closed position or the second closed position, wherein each of the
first member and the second member include a first ball and a
second ball, each ball positioned at the end of a respective shaft;
and two hinge members, each hinge member rotatably attached to the
first member and the second member thereby permitting the first
member to articulate relative to the second member such that the
foldable electronic device electronic remains articulable between
the closed positions and the opened position when the protective
case is installed on the foldable electronic device, wherein each
of the two hinge members includes two sockets, each socket
configured for receiving one of the balls, wherein each of the
hinge members also includes detents associated with each of the
sockets, wherein the shafts rest in the detents when the protective
case is in one or more of the closed positions thereby permitting
wherein the hinge members to pivot inward when the protective case
is transitioned from the opened position to one of the closed
positions to prevent the foldable electronic device from
inadvertently sliding out of the protective case in the closed
positions.
12. The protective case of claim 11 wherein the two hinge members
are positioned at opposing ends of the first member and the second
member.
13. A protective cover for a foldable electronic device, the
foldable electronic device having a first portion that is hingeably
attached to a second portion and adapted to articulate between a
closed position and an opened position, the protective cover
comprising: a first member adapted for slidably receiving the first
portion of the foldable electronic device, the first member having
two shafts extending from respective edges of the first member; a
second member adapted for slidably receiving the second portion of
the foldable electronic device, the second member having two shafts
extending from respective edges of the second member; and two hinge
members adapted for attaching the first member to the second
member, each hinge member having attachment mechanisms for
receiving the shafts of the first and second members, wherein the
shafts are movably attachable to the respective hinge member
thereby permitting the first member to articulate relative to the
second member such that the foldable electronic device electronic
remains articulable between the closed position and the opened
position when the protective cover is installed on the foldable
electronic device, and wherein each hinge member is adapted to
pivot toward a center of the protective cover when the protective
cover is transitioned from the opened position to the closed
position to block the foldable electronic device from sliding out
of the protective cover, wherein each hinge member includes slots
through which the shafts rotate when the protective cover is
transitioned from the opened position to the closed position, and
wherein each of the slots has an axis and includes a detent which
extends away from the axis of the slot, wherein each detent is
adapted to receive the respective shaft when the protective cover
is in the closed position, and wherein each hinge member pivots
toward the center of the protective cover when the shafts are
received in the respective detents.
Description
FIELD
This disclosure relates generally to a case or enclosure for
protecting an electronic device.
BACKGROUND
Mobile telephones, portable computers, and tablet computers are
convenient tools that allow people to work, communicate with one
another, conduct business, and play games while on the go and away
from hardwired Internet connections. These types of electronic
devices allow people to communicate via voice, text message, short
message service (SMS), instant messaging (IM), and the like. Other
such portable devices include computers, personal digital
assistants, smartphones, electronic digital readers, electronic
game devices, video recorders, cameras, and the like. These types
of portable electronic devices are often expensive and contain
fragile components that make them susceptible to damage due to
dropping, shock, or impact. Protective cases are often used to
protect these types of devices. Some newer variations of these
devices are foldable and may contain displays on more than one
surface. Improved protective cases for foldable electronic devices
are desired.
SUMMARY
In one exemplary embodiment, a protective case is provided for a
foldable electronic device having a first portion that is hingeably
attached to a second portion. The foldable electronic device is
configured to articulate between one or more closed positions and
an opened position. The protective case includes a first member, a
second member, and at least one hinge member. The first member is
configured for slidably receiving the first portion of the foldable
electronic device. The first member has a first ball extending from
the first member. The second member is configured for slidably
receiving the second portion of the foldable electronic device. The
second member has a second ball extending from the second member.
The hinge member has a first socket and a second socket in which
the first ball and the second ball, respectively, are captured and
rotate thereby permitting the first member to articulate relative
to the second member such that the foldable electronic device
electronic remains articulable between the closed positions and the
opened position when the protective case is installed on the
foldable electronic device. The hinge member is configured to pivot
inward when the protective case is transitioned from the opened
position to one of the closed positions to prevent the foldable
electronic device from sliding out of the protective case.
In one embodiment, the hinge member includes a first slot which
provides access to the first socket and a second slot which
provides access to the second socket, wherein the first slot and
the second slot are on opposite sides of the hinge member.
In another embodiment, the first ball is attached to the first
member with a first shaft and the second ball is attached to the
second member with a second shaft.
In another embodiment, the balls permit the respective shafts to
rotate within the respective slots of the hinge member thereby
permitting the first member to articulate relative to the second
member.
In yet another embodiment, both shafts and the hinge member rotate
within the respective slots within a first plane when transitioning
between the opened position and the closed position.
In yet another embodiment, each of the slots includes a recess or
detent configured to receive the respective shaft when the
protective case is in the closed position, wherein the hinge member
pivots inward when the shafts are in the slot recesses, wherein the
hinge member pivots inward in a plane that is different from the
first plane.
In another embodiment, the hinge member includes a top portion and
a bottom portion, wherein the top portion has a width that is
greater than a width of the bottom portion.
In another embodiment, at least one of the first member and the
second member contact the top portion of the hinge member, or the
wider portion of the hinge member, when the protective case is
transitioned to the closed position causing the hinge member to
pivot inward due to the width of the top portion of the hinge
member being greater than the width of the bottom portion and due
to the shafts transitioning into the slot recesses.
In one variation, the first portion and the second portion of the
foldable electronic device slide into the first member and the
second member of the case, respectively, when the foldable
electronic device and the protective case are substantially in the
closed position to install the foldable electronic device in the
protective case.
In another variation, the protective case includes a second hinge
member, wherein the first member includes a third ball and a third
shaft and the second member includes a fourth ball and a fourth
shaft.
In some examples, the third ball, the third shaft, the fourth ball,
and the fourth shaft interface with or engage the second hinge
member.
In another variation, the protective case includes a first
substantially transparent membrane which interfaces with the first
member and is configured to extend over a display area of the first
portion of the foldable electronic device.
In a further variation, the protective includes a second
substantially transparent membrane which interfaces with the second
member and is configured to extend over a display area of the
second portion of the foldable electronic device.
Other variations and embodiments are possible, including variations
and embodiments which do not necessarily include all of the
elements described above or below and/or variations and embodiments
which may include additional elements.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1A illustrates a front view of a protective case in an opened
position;
FIG. 1B illustrates the protective case of FIG. 1A with protective
membranes installed;
FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the protective case of
FIG. 1A;
FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of the protective case of FIG.
1A;
FIG. 4 illustrates a closeup view of a portion of the protective
case of FIG. 1A;
FIG. 5 illustrates a close up view of the hinge member of the
protective case of FIG. 1A;
FIG. 6 illustrates the protective case of FIG. 1A in a closed
position;
FIG. 7 illustrates a closeup view of a portion of the protective
case of FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 illustrates a closeup view of the hinge member of the
protective case of FIG. 6;
FIG. 9 illustrates a top view of the protective case of FIG. 6;
FIG. 10 illustrates a cross sectional view of a portion of the
protective case of FIG. 6;
FIG. 11 illustrates another embodiment of a protective case;
and
FIG. 12 illustrates another view of the protective case of FIG.
11.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The subject matter described herein relates generally to a housing,
case, protective case, enclosure, or protective enclosure, for
encasing, or at least partially encasing, an electronic device. It
is to be understood that although the singular "device" is used
herein, the term encompasses one or more devices. The device or
devices may be any electronic device that is capable of being fit
within the protective enclosure and/or in need of protecting from
one or more adverse environmental conditions, mishandling and/or
damage, such as damage from dropping, shock, impact, and/or
contacting dust or liquid. The protective enclosure or case may be
of any appropriate size and dimension so long as it is capable of
enclosing the device and protecting it, for instance, from rough
treatment and/or adverse conditions. The protective enclosure may
be provided as a single piece, or as two or more distinct pieces
not directly attached to each other.
The protective enclosure may be a case configured for encasing a
device, such as an electronic device, that may be, for example, a
mobile telephone device, a mobile computing device, a tablet
computer, and/or a smart phone. The electronic device may have one
or more screens, such as a touch screen. In some instances, the
protective enclosure may fit over at least a portion of an existing
housing of the electronic device. In other instances, the
protective enclosure is part of a device, such as an electronic
device, which encloses or encases various components of the
electronic device. For example, the protective enclosure may be the
protective enclosure of a mobile device, tablet computer, or other
electronic device and may fit over an existing housing of the
electronic device.
It is to be understood that although a particular embodiment is
presented herein, such as a protective enclosure for encasing the
electronic device, such as a smart phone, therein, the device to be
housed may be any of a number of different objects or components
thereof, as described above, and the protective enclosure may,
therefore, have a number of different shapes, sizes, and
configurations without departing from the nature of the disclosure.
For instance, as depicted herein, the protective enclosure may
include two separate members, e.g., separate individual top and
bottom members, that are configured for being removably coupled
together so as to surround an electronic device and thereby encase
the electronic device. In certain instances (not shown), the top
and bottom members may not be separate members, but rather may be
members that are joined, for instance, by a common hinge element,
or a single member configured for being folded upon itself and
thereby forming the protective enclosure. Hence, the scope of the
protective enclosures and systems described herein with respect to
the particular embodiments set forth in reference to the figures is
not intended to be unduly limiting.
FIG. 1A illustrates a protective case 100 for a foldable electronic
device having a first portion that is hingeably attached to a
second portion. The electronic device may have a closed position in
which the first portion is folded over the second portion like a
closed book. The electronic device may also have an opened position
in which the first portion is rotated away from the second portion
such that the first and second portions are substantially in a same
plane similar to an open book resting on a table. In some examples,
the electronic device may also be folded in the opposite direction
such that it reaches a second closed position where the back
surfaces of the first portion and the second portion are facing
each other. The electronic device may have displays on any or all
of the surfaces. Any of the displays may be a display screen, an
interactive touchscreen, a touchscreen, or a touch-sensitive
display. Any of the displays may include foldable display elements.
Any of the displays may span the first and second portions of the
device. The first portion and the second portion may have separate
display portions that meet or abut when the device is in the open
position.
As illustrated in FIG. 1A, protective case 100 may have a first
member 110 and second member 120. In FIG. 1A, protective case 100
is in the opened position. First member 110 and second member 120
are hingeably or rotatably attached to each other with two hinge
members 130. In other examples, more or fewer hinge members 130 may
be used. Each of first member 110 and second member 120 may include
multiple components and may include a cushioning liner. First
member 110 is configured to slidably receive the first portion of
the electronic device while second member 120 is configured to
slidably receive the second portion of the electronic device while
still allowing the installed electronic device to fold or
articulate just as it does when not installed in protective case
100.
FIG. 1B illustrates protective case 100 with first membrane 119 and
second membrane 129 installed. First membrane 119 and/or second
membrane 129 may be transparent, or substantially transparent,
through which display(s) of the electronic device may be visible
and/or operable in a touch sensitive manner through the membrane.
First membrane 119 and/or second membrane 129 may be formed from a
flexible plastic film or from another material such as glass, or a
fortified glass. Although first membrane 119 and second membrane
129 are referred to as `membranes` each may be flexible, rigid, or
semi-rigid. First membrane 119 and/or second membrane 129 may also
be referred to as a screen protector or protective film.
First membrane 119 and/or second membrane 129 may be permanently,
semi-permanently, or removably attached to first member 110 and
second member 120, respectively. First membrane 119 and/or second
membrane 129 may slide into slots on first member 110 and second
member 120, respectively. In other examples, first membrane 119
and/or second membrane 129 may be attached or adhered to the
electronic device and not to first member 110 or second member 120.
While two membranes are illustrated, the apparatuses disclosed
herein may include more or fewer membranes or screen protectors. In
one example, there may be two additional membranes which extend
over the opposite sides of the first and second portions of the
electronic device. In other words, membranes or screen protectors
may extend over both side of each of the first portion and the
second portion of the electronic device.
FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of protective case 100 of
FIGS. 1A and 1B. FIG. 2 also illustrates that any portion of
protective case 100 may have ports or openings, such as port
opening 124, for providing access to a connector, switch, or
feature of the electronic device. Any portion of protective case
100 may also have other features, such as button actuators 125, for
operating or actuating a feature of electronic device 100 from an
outside surface of protective case 100. Protective case 100 may
also include other features which align with features of electronic
device 100 such as a camera opening, a speaker port, a microphone
opening, and/or features associated with other sensors or input
devices of the electronic device.
FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of protective case 100 in the opened
position.
FIG. 4 illustrates a closeup view of a portion of protective case
100. Specifically, FIG. 4 illustrates that first member 110 is
attached to hinge member 130, either permanently, semi-permanently,
or removably, with a first ball 116 that rotates or pivots within
hinge member 130 in a captured manner. First ball 116 may have an
interference fit with hinge member 130 or may snap into hinge
member 130. Alternatively, hinge member 130 may have multiple parts
that are assembled around first ball 116 to capture first ball 116.
Similarly, FIG. 4 also illustrates that second member 120 is
attached to hinge member 130, either permanently, semi-permanently,
or removably, with a second ball 126 that rotates or pivots within
hinge member 130 in a captured manner. Second ball 126 may have an
interference fit with hinge member 130 or may snap into hinge
member 130. Alternatively, hinge member 130 may have multiple parts
that are assembled around second ball 126 to capture second ball
126. In some examples, other structures may be used which allow
pivoting or rotation in multiple dimensions.
Each of first ball 116 and second ball 126 may rotate or pivot
individually giving the assembly compound hinge functionality for
accommodating the thickness of the electronic device without
restricting its articulation. Further, the illustrated assembly may
allow each of first member 110 and second member 120 to
independently pivot, rotate, or articulate in either direction from
the positions illustrated in FIG. 4. In other words, each of first
member 110 and second member 120 may rotate from the opened
position of FIGS. 1A-4 to a first closed position (rotating outward
from the page) or rotate to a second closed position (rotating
inward toward the page).
While many of the examples herein are discussed with respect to
using balls and sockets for attachment, other techniques are
possible. In other words, other mechanical attachment methods may
be used which permit movable or pivotable connection of any of the
components disclosed herein. In some examples, the attachment
mechanism(s) may permit movement in multiple axes and/or may create
a temporary or removable connections between the components.
FIG. 5 illustrates a close-up view of hinge member 130 of
protective case 100. Hinge member 130 has a top portion 132 and a
bottom portion 134. FIG. 5 also illustrates that first ball 116 and
second ball 126 may be attached to first member 110 and second
member 120, respectively, with first shaft 117 and second shaft
127, respectively. First shaft 117 and second shaft 127 each extend
into hinge member 130 through one of slots 138 which are on
opposite sides of hinge member 130. Each of first shaft 117 and
second shaft 127 may rotate up to 180 degrees, or more, within the
respective slot 138. This configuration enables first member 110
and second member 120 to independently pivot, rotate, or articulate
in either direction from the positions illustrated in FIG. 4. In
other words, each of first member 110 and second member 120 may
rotate from the opened position of FIGS. 1A-4 to a first closed
position (rotating outward from the page) or rotate to a second
closed position (rotating inward toward the page).
When protective case 100 is in the opened position illustrated in
FIGS. 1A-4, the shafts extend in opposite direction along a shaft
axis X, which may also extend through the centers of first ball 116
and second ball 126. First member 110 and second member 120 may be
capable of rotating or pivoting 180 degrees, or a slightly lesser
amount such as 178 degrees, 176 degrees, 174 degrees, 172 degrees,
170 degrees, 168 degrees, 166 degrees, or a similar amount. During
the rotating or pivoting of first member 110 and second member 120
through these ranges, first shaft 117 and second shaft 127 remain
in a single plane that passes through shaft axis X. Throughout this
rotating or pivoting, hinge axis Y of hinge member 130 remains
perpendicular to shaft axis X as well as the plane of rotation that
passes through hinge axis X.
FIG. 5 also illustrates slot recesses 137, which may also be
referred to as detents, on each of slots 138. Slot recesses 137 or
detents are expanded areas of slots 138 which allow first shaft 117
and second shaft 127 to move laterally, relative to hinge member
130 and slots 138, when they are at a certain point in their
respective rotations within slots 138 of hinge member 130. This
configuration, as well as tab 139, are discussed in further detail
with respect to FIGS. 6-8.
FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of protective case 100 in the closed
position. In FIG. 6, a folded electronic device 90 is installed in
protective case 100 in the closed position. Only one portion of
electronic device 90, first portion 90A, of electronic device 90 is
visible in FIG. 6. FIG. 7 illustrates a portion of the
configuration of FIG. 6. In FIG. 7, both portions 90A and 90B of
electronic device 90 are visible. The hinge details of electronic
device 90 are not illustrated for purposes of simplicity.
Electronic device 90 is installed into protective case 100 by
sliding it into protective case 100 in the direction of arrow "A"
in FIG. 6 while both are in the closed position, substantially in
the closed position, or nearly in the closed position. First
portion 90A of electronic device 90 slides into first member 110
while second portion 90B simultaneously slides into second member
120.
As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, hinge member(s) 130 are rotated
downward, inward, or laterally relative to their orientations in
FIGS. 1A-5. FIG. 8 illustrates a close-up side view of one hinge
member 130 in this orientation when protective case 100 is in the
closed position. Top portion 132 of hinge member 130 has a width
which is greater than a width of bottom portion 134. When first
member 110 and second member 120 (not visible in FIG. 8) are
rotated into the closed position, hinge member 130 is forced into
the angled position because of interference or contact between
first member 110 and/or second member 120 with the wider width of
top portion 132 and the limitation of the length of first shaft
117.
When hinge member 130 is forced into the orientation illustrated in
FIG. 8, hinge axis Y is no longer perpendicular to shaft axis X
and/or the plane of rotation X. This axis shift is permitted to
occur because shafts 117 and 127 are adjacent slot recesses 137
(see FIG. 5) when in the closed state. Slot recesses 137 or detents
permit shafts 117 and 127 to move laterally when in this position
in conjunction with the force applied to top portion 132 of hinge
member 130 to achieve the orientation illustrated in FIG. 8.
When hinge member 130 is in the orientation illustrated in FIG. 8,
one of tabs 139 is rotated inward or downward and extends farther
down than it does in the configurations of FIGS. 4 and 5. Tab 139
is sized and positioned such that when hinge member 130 is in the
orientation of FIG. 8, tab member 139 blocks electronic device 90
from inadvertently sliding out of protective case 100 (blocks
electronic device 90 from sliding to the left in FIG. 8). The other
of tabs 139 may perform the same function when protective case 100
is in the other, inverse, reverse, or alternate closed position.
This may be achieved with another set of slot recesses or detents
on the opposite side of hinge member 130. Beneficially, electronic
device 90 can only be slid into or out of protective case 100 when
both the electronic device and the protective case are in a closed
position. Due to the features described above, hinge member 130
pivots into the orientation illustrated in FIG. 8 only when
protective case 100 is in the closed position, thereby blocking
electronic device 90 from inadvertently sliding out of protective
case 100. Tab 139 moves out of the way of electronic device 90 when
protective case 100 is transitioned from the closed position to the
opened position as it returns to the orientation of FIG. 5.
Beneficially, hinge member 130 behaves in the same manner when
protective case 100 is transitioned from the opened position to the
second closed position as it does when protective case 100 is
transitioned from the opened position to first closed position.
This feature may be useful when electronic device 90 has displays
or features positioned such that it may sometimes be used in the
first closed position and at other times in the second closed
position, in addition to sometimes being in the opened
position.
Hinge member 130 may be formed from a pliable, flexible, or
resilient material such that hinge member 130 or tab 139 can be
pushed, bent, or forced out of the way when electronic device 90 is
being installed in protective case 100 and/or intentionally removed
from protective case 100. Such force may have to be applied to one
or two instances of hinge member 130. Alternatively, other of the
components described herein, including combinations thereof, may be
formed from pliable, flexible, or resilient materials to enable
installation or intentional removal of electronic device 90 from
protective case 100 when a proper force is applied by a user.
FIG. 9 illustrates a top view of protective case 100 in the closed
position. As illustrated in FIG. 9, each of first member 110 and
second member 120 may have one or more raised portions,
protrusions, or ridges, such as ridge 113 and ridge 123, the extend
or protrude above the primary outer surface of the respective case
member (also see FIG. 3). In some examples, the ridge will extend
around a portion, or a few portions, of a perimeter of the case
member. In some examples, the ridge will extend around a portion of
the display for the installed electronic device. Ridges 113 and 123
provide additional protection to the electronic device if it is
dropped on a surface because the display of the device will be kept
farther from the surface thereby reducing the chances of the
display contacting the surface it was dropped onto, particularly if
the surface is uneven or has small protrusions, such as on a
street. Ridges 113 and 123 may exist on multiple sides to provide
this protection in multiple configurations.
While ridges 113 and 123 are beneficial for the reasons described
above, protrusions of this type could limit the range of motion of
the device when it is in the case and in the alternative closed
position. Therefore, first member 110 and second member 120 may
also include recesses (not visible in FIG. 9) around the perimeter
portions which correspond to or are complimentary with the ridges.
This allows the ridges to nest within the recesses of the
alternation portion when they are facing inward such that they do
limit the rotation of the case to that closed position.
FIG. 10 illustrates a cross sectional view of a portion of the
configuration illustrated in FIG. 9. Each of first member 110 and
second member 120 may have ridges, such as ridges 123, on one or
both primary surfaces. Each of first member 110 and second member
120 may also have recesses, such as recesses 114, on one or both
primary sources. Recesses 114 are positioned to receive one or more
of ridges 123 from the alternate member when those sides are facing
inward and facing each other. This configuration reduces or
eliminates the reduction in the range of articulation or motion
that would otherwise be caused by the protrusions or ridges. The
ridges and recesses may also have a friction or interference fit to
maintain the assembly in a currently closed position until a
sufficient force is applied to open it.
FIG. 11 illustrates a variation of protective case 100. In the
example of FIG. 11, protective case 100 includes a port door 141
for covering port opening 124 when it is not in use. Port door 141
may prevent dust, grit, and/or liquids from entering port opening
124 when it is not in use. Port door 141 and/or port opening 124
may include a gasket or seal. In addition, port opening 124 may be
covered with a membrane, such as a water-resistant membrane. Port
door 141 may be tethered or otherwise attached to protective case
100 such that it is not easily misplaced or forgotten when port
opening 124 is in use.
FIG. 12 illustrates an alternate view of the protective case of
FIG. 11. In FIG. 12, an interface window 147 is visible on a side
of protective case 100. Interface window 147 provides access to a
feature of the installed portable electronic device. In one
example, interface window 147 provides access to a biometric sensor
of the installed electronic device. In a more specific example,
interface window 146 provides access to a fingerprint sensor or
scanner of the installed electronic device. Interface window 147
may be a port, opening, or aperture. In some examples, interface
window 147 may be covered with a thin film or membrane which still
permits operation of the feature of the installed electronic
device. In other examples, interface window 147 may have a
removable cover similar to port door 141.
Any of the apparatuses, techniques, improvements, features,
functions, or processes described herein may be implemented in the
form of a system or a kit. The system or kit may include any
combination of the devices, components, elements, and/or modules
disclosed herein.
The elements, components, and steps described herein are meant to
exemplify some types of possibilities. In no way should the
aforementioned examples limit the scope of the invention, as they
are only exemplary embodiments.
The phrases "in some embodiments," "in an exemplary embodiment,"
"in one exemplary embodiment," "in some exemplary embodiments,"
"according to some embodiments," "in the embodiments shown," "in
other embodiments," "in some examples," "in other examples," "in
some cases," "in some situations," "in one configuration," "in
another configuration," and the like generally mean that the
particular technique, feature, structure, or characteristic
following the phrase is included in at least one embodiment of the
present invention and/or may be included in more than one
embodiment of the present invention. In addition, such phrases do
not necessarily refer to the same embodiments or to different
embodiments.
The foregoing disclosure has been presented for purposes of
illustration and description. Other modifications and variations of
the disclosed techniques may be possible in view of the above
teachings. The embodiments described in the foregoing disclosure
were chosen to explain the principles of the concept and its
practical application to enable others skilled in the art to best
utilize the invention. It is intended that the claims be construed
to include other alternative embodiments of the invention, except
as limited by the prior art.
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